Luxury Cruise Ship Delayed by Propulsion Problem

(3:55 p.m. EDT) -- Crystal Symphony was delayed some 24 hours after a propulsion malfunction required significant repairs. The ship, scheduled to depart Montreal on the evening of October 22, eventually departed at 6 p.m. October 23. The delay forced the ship to skip its scheduled call in Quebec City.

Cruise Critic learned of the delay from Cruise Critic member Tyler919, who wrote from aboard the Symphony on the morning of October 23.

"We are still in Montreal, some 12 hours after we were supposed to leave. Two announcements indicate a 'propulsion issue,'" he reported.

He later wrote that parts were being flown in and repairs would take all day. Crystal provided shuttles so passengers could spend time in Montreal during the delay.

Crystal Cruises spokesman Jason Guerrero confirmed to Cruise Critic that Symphony did experience a "software issue related to the port side propulsion system." Engineers were deployed to fix the problem, and the ship departed toward Halifax, its next scheduled port of call.